Scriptapalooza Interviews TV Sitcom First Place Winner Kris Rasmussen
Scriptapalooza: How did you come up with your story idea?
Thank goodness for funny parents! The idea was inspired by my mom. We
happened to be watching t.v. one night at my parent's house, and it was the
King of Queens, and she mentioned out of nowhere how she and my Dad had
picked out their tombstones and really wanted me to see them because they
were so nice. So I put two and two together and wrote the script.
Scriptapalooza: How long did it take you to write it?
The first 18 pages came in a heartbeat but then it took awhile to finish the
rest of the script. Like a couple of months, I think! I knew it was a really
good premise so I stuck with it.
Scriptapalooza: Is this your first script that you have written?
No. This is only the fourth spec sitcom script I have written in the last
year.
Scriptapalooza: Have you entered other screenwriting competitions?
I entered Scriptapalooza once previously and was a semi finalist earlier this
year. I have entered some theatrical playwriting competitions previously and
won two of those, in 1999 and in May of 2001.
Scriptapalooza: Why did you enter Scriptapalooza?
Scriptapalooza seemed like one of the better competitions to enter because of
strong sponsorship and ties to specific production companies/agents. Being a
semi-annual competition helps, too.
Scriptapalooza: How did you feel when you saw your name as one of the winners?
I visited the website about a million times on the 15th waiting for the
results to be posted!!! I was surprised I won. I was just hoping to move up
to being a finalist.
Scriptapalooza: Advice to other screenwriters?
Well, if you haven't read Evan Smith's book on televison writing, you should.
I've been able to work closely with 2 or 3 other writers in the last year,
sharing scripts back and forth, and it's really helped the level of my
writing, I think. So if you can find a good group of writers to meet with and
work with, do it!
Scriptapalooza: If you could write for any TV show, which one would it be?
I'm in love with Everybody Loves Raymond and would give my right arm to write
one scene for Doris Roberts and Patricia Heaton!
Updated: 08/31/2001
Additional Contest Info: Scriptapalooza TV Writing Competition
ScriptLinks
Post Your Script Here!AT THE MERCY OF FAITH
In the wake of a terrifying and traumatic encounter with RUTHLESS characters, a 14 year old minister - mourns his twin sister, and scorns the GOD he once fervently praised.
Perfect Beau
A Plain Jane clones her ideal boyfriend out of her girlfriends' boyfriends' DNA for her college senior class project.
Cold Pepper
A law-abiding, church-going court stenographer becomes a one-woman vigilante assassinating violent domestic abusers (and other deviants) after their third offense.
Psychotic USA
A dramedy.. A twisted view of the ineptness of modern day psychiatric treatment as seen through the lens of four patients in an asylum.
Psycho-Hearts
A world renowned heart transplant surgeon is an absolute magician at finding compatible hearts for wealthy clients.
Nina and Flossie
Three, European sisters, in their 70's, scheme to dump a dead body that the eldest killed in the middle of the night as a result of a break-in.
Doors of Miracles
A young woman trembles as she thanks God anticipating another disaster then The Light of Heaven descends upon her projecting her past the Universe to Heaven to return with supernatural powers, miracles and God speaks.
and The Devil called!
The Devil visits God`s chosen-one with gifts and the promise `you will be my bride`, and on rejection his tri-step-headed charcoaled alien goons examine her brain for answers.
DARK WATERS
Character-driven psychological horror thriller set in a suburban house, with a disturbed female lead and a shocking twist ending, inspired by Henry James' "Turn of the Screw".
IT'S A POPCORN WORLD
When an overzealous government man tries to steal an inventor’s home using eminent domain, the inventor decides to provide alternative land by expanding the world like a kernel of popcorn.